Think critically about new information, past assumptions, and your own thought process

Most modern environmental issues are frequently driven and fueled by emotional rhetoric. Environmental science and the integration of sustainability principles is based on science and is rational, yet relies on a transdisciplinary base since it involves natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts to comprehend the big picture.

Examples of bio-inspired solutions that are more efficient than current ones

Biomimicry derives its name from two Greek words: bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning imitation. As such it is about human systems mimicking life’s systems, or more generally, nature. Biomimicry is a term that explains innovation inspired by nature where engineers, who understand mechanics and dynamic flow systems of industrial processes, link with biologists, who understand the mechanics and dynamic flow characteristics of living processes.

Principles of Sustainable Living: A New Vision for Health, Happiness,
and Prosperity offers options for making healthy choices that
sustain our planet and benefit society. Backed by a website with
resources for instructors and students, this book presents the
challenges we face as caretakers of our planet and details solutions for
a healthier future.

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Description

Author

Ancillaries

Multimedia

Product Description

No one can argue against wanting a better quality of life—and Principles of Sustainable Living: A New Vision for Health, Happiness, and Prosperity provides keen insight into how to achieve that so that individuals, communities, and the environment all come out winners.

This transdisciplinary text presents principles of sustainability, develops environmental literacy, and expands awareness of sustainable practices that will steer readers toward a lifestyle that they, as well as the entire planet, will benefit from.

Author Richard Jurin, an expert in sustainable living, has written numerous publications on sustainable development, business leadership for sustainability, and related issues. He takes students beyond sustainability’s traditional “triple bottom line” of people, profit, and planet to a quadruple paradigm that includes economic, sociocultural, psychological, and ecological aspects of sustainability.

This text is supported by its own website, which includes an instructor guide, test package, study guide, and presentation package. The book’s 36 illustrations and tables are all included in the presentation package. The text offers

principles of sustainability that support a range of university courses in multiple disciplines;

a systems approach to sustainability that reflects worldwide views and values;

case studies, personal reflections, and applications that help students understand their status and the challenges of the future; and

guidelines for developing sustainable living through daily choices.

The book explores the mind-sets that have created the modern, consumer-based world we live in, exposing environmental and societal global problems as it does; lays out new ways of thinking, championing sustainable thinking as a prerequisite for living a healthy, happy, vibrant life that benefits the planet; and details positive options for living a sustainable lifestyle. Readers will be able to understand sustainability from a broad perspective—how it can improve their lives, resolve environmental problems, and improve the condition of the planet for all life.

Principles of Sustainable Living points out the problems and challenges we face individually and as caretakers of our planet and offers lifestyle approaches that can sustain quality of life long into the future.

Contents

Chapter 1 Moving Toward a New Way of Living

Attaining Sustainability

Understanding What Is Important

Worldviews That Shaped Our Thinking

Barriers to Change

Changing Our Thinking

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 2 Social and Cultural Trends

Trends That Shape Our Lives

Consequences of Current Trends

Catalysts for Future Trends

Creating New Trends

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 3 Standard of Living versus Quality of Life

Waking Up From the Illusion of the American Dream

Redefining Progress

All-Encompassing Consumerism

Advertising

Marketing

Adjusting Our Attitude

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 4 Thinking Systemically and Sustainably

Systemic Versus Symptomatic Thinking

Critical Thinking

Analyzing Root Problems

Thinking Sustainably

Barriers to Changing our thinking

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 5 Economics, Prosperity, and Sustainability

Brief History of Economics

Types of Economies

Our Current High Standard of Living

Measures of Current Wealth

Economics Undermining Community

Managing and Avoiding Personal Debt

Improving Economic Practices to Enhance Quality of Life

New Measures of Prosperity

Reshaping the Global Economy

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 6 Choosing a Healthy, Sustainable Lifestyle

Reasons for Poor Health

Industrial Farming

Sustainable Farming Methods

Corporate Agriculture versus Community Supported Agriculture

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 7 Happiness and Well-Being

Determinants of Happiness and Well-Being

Ranking Happiness and Well-Being

Emotional Well-Being

Social Well-Being

Ecological and Spiritual Well-Being

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 8 Education

Education in the 21st Century

Becoming an Informed Citizen

Communicating Effectively

Reforming Education

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 9 Technology and Industrial Ecology

Shifting Toward a Sustainability Paradigm

Technology Involves Risk

Industrial Ecology

Green Energy and Society

Biommicry

The Future of Electrical Energy

Managing and Eliminating Waste

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 10 Community

Types of Communities

What Makes Up a Community

Community Resilience

Social Benefits of Community

Substitute Communities

Urban Renewal

Postmodern Communities

Economic Community

Urban and Community Gardens

Civic Agency

Moving Toward Sustainable Communities

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 11 Transitioning to Sustainable Living

Transitional Communities

Ecovillages

Relocalization and Resilience

New Urbanism

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Chapter 12 On the Edge of Change

Change Is Possible

Transitioning to a New Culture

Cultivating New Perspectives

Adopting New Ideas

Becoming Cultural Critics

Facilitating Discussion

Affecting Change

Improving Policy-Making

Creating a Cooperative World

Achieving Empowerment

Summary

Learning Activities

Glossary

References and Resources

Index

Audiences

Text for university courses in recreation, leisure studies, and health
and courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, and environmental
sciences.

Richard Jurin, PhD, is an associate professor in the College of
Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado. His
research interests include worldviews as barriers to sustainability,
sustainable development, business leadership for sustainability, and
sustainability in tourism and interpretation.

Dr. Jurin has two other books to his credit as well as book chapters and
numerous articles on sustainability and related issues. He has made
dozens of professional presentations on sustainability, including
keynote presentations at national conferences. He received the
University of Northern Colorado Academic Leadership Excellence Award for
2010-11.